QuoteReplyTopic: Four hour routines Posted: 09 October 2007 at 3:21pm
How do they work for young babies?
Plunket nurses keep telling me that babies of Alex's age (2.5 months) shouldn't be awake for longer than about an hour or they risk getting overtired, and that does seem about right from watching him. But does being on a four hour routine then mean that bubs is meant to sleep for three hours straight during the day? I think we have a snowball's chance in hell of that happening! I'm lucky to get an hour out of him before he wakes up during the day.
We were told by Mothercraft unit at Waikato hospital that isla should be on a 3 hr rountine at that age. Feeding every 3 hrs,...wake for max 1 1/2 hrs and asleep for 1 1/2- 2 hrs.
Four hour routine didn't work for us until about 7mths (can't remember exactly when but it was MUCH later on). If a 3 or 3.5 hour routine works well and keeps everyone happy then stick with it until he naturally extends it himself. There is nothing more stressful that trying to make a baby extend out when they are not ready to.
We are on a kind of 3 hour routine (but Tom is a little younger). He struggles to stay awake for an hour sometimes...today however he DID NOT want to sleep....and is very over tired
The 4 hour routine never worked for us until she was 6mths old (regardless how many times Plunket told me that was the "right" thing for her *rolls eyes*)
You know your child better than Plunket and you will know his tired signs and hunger signs! I'd just go by that and what suits you guys.
If Plunket keep insisting on the 4 hour routne, tell 'em that's what you're doing anyway
P.S
Can you tell I'm not a Plunket fan? I hate the way they apply the same rule to every baby!
At 2 months Spencer was feeding 2 hourly during the day and 3 hourly at night. He is now 2 1/2 to 4 hourly during the day and goes maybe 5 to 6 hours at night (if i'm lucky). He tends to be awake for about 45mins to 2 hours (normally only 2 hours first thing in the morning) his day sleeps are only tiny sometimes he seems to just have a 20min powernap and will then play again before feeding. I have given up with following anything that plunket say and I just go with the flow.
I think it is quite unfair to put them to a strict routine, we don't eat and sleep to a schedule so why do we think babies will?
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Four hour routines
Topic Options
Post Options
Thanks(0)
I hate the way they apply the same rule to every baby! 
